Muhannad Zakaria Eid, 14, was running towards the heavy aid packages as they dropped near in central Gaza on Saturday – when one landed on him and crushed him to death
A starving Palestinian child was crushed to death by a parachuted aid pallet in Gaza amid what officials have described as an “unimaginable” famine that has claimed hundreds of lives.
Muhannad Zakaria Eid, 14, was running towards the heavy packages as they dropped near the so-called Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza on Saturday when one landed on him, his brother Muhammad Eid said. At least 23 Palestinians have died in airdrops so far, with another 124 injured. Harrowing footage shared on social media shows large pallets thudding to the ground, before Muhannad’s body is dragged from beneath a crate and carried away from the crowd.
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His death comes after repeated warnings that parachuted aid deliveries are dangerous, ineffective and far from meeting Gaza’s desperate need for food, baby formula and medical supplies. Civil defence spokesperson Mahmud Basal said “daily injuries and fatalities” occur when heavy parcels fall on people in densely populated areas, adding that stampedes and overcrowding at drop sites also claim lives. It comes after furious Bob Geldof issued a desperate plea on Sky News to save babies in Gaza.
Gaza’s Government Media Office condemned the airdrops, saying: “We have repeatedly warned of the danger of these inhumane methods and have repeatedly called for the entry of aid through land crossings in a safe and sufficient manner, especially food, infant milk, medicines, and medical supplies.”
On Tuesday, a coalition of 24 countries, including the UK, Australia and several European states, warned that famine is “unfolding before our eyes” and demanded Israel allow unrestricted aid into Gaza. “The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable levels. Urgent action is needed now to halt and reverse starvation. Humanitarian space must be protected, and aid should never be politicised,” their joint statement said.
The grim warning came as Israeli strikes continued across the Strip, killing at least 46 Palestinians since dawn on Tuesday. Five more people – including two children – died from starvation, bringing the total famine death toll to 227 since the war began, among them 103 children.
Israel denies there is starvation in Gaza. Speaking to the ABC’s 7:30 on Monday night, Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, said: “The government of Israel is not – is not – there is no starvation policy. That’s not to say that we believe the condition on the ground are ideal.” He declined to say how many children have died from hunger.
On Sunday, five Al Jazeera employees, described as among the “last remaining voices within Gaza”, were killed in an Israeli attack that has sparked global outrage. Correspondents Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and Moamen Aliwa, and their assistant Mohammed Noufal, died on Sunday following a strike on a tent near al Shifa Hospital in Gaza.